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Lip-Smacking Food

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Treats from Ovenly

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One of my co-workers used to live in Greenpoint and I remember her sharing a baked good with me one day, which had berries and tasted incredible. This was my first time trying anything from Ovenly, and I was so impressed I had to try more. I finally went there last weekend around 11am. I spied one last Blueberry Cornflake Muffin. It was mine! I have a thing for good berry muffins. Then, I thought, I can’t come all the way here and just get a muffin. So I also chose a Salted Peanut Butter Cookie and a piece of Espresso Burnt Sugar Shortbread, A.K.A The Stumptown Shorty. 

I had heard claims that Ovenly’s Salted Peanut Butter Cookies were the best you could find anywhere. I had even read these claims in online reviews. But I’m not going to lie: when I first saw these cookies in person, I thought they looked too small and how could anything that small be the best? Well that old cliche, ‘good things come in small packages’, definitely applies here!

Valentine’s Shortbread Cookies with Guava Jam

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Valentine’s Day is almost here. Whether you celebrate it or not (let’s face it, it is very commercial), it’s a great excuse to eat heart shaped treats and to spend it with a loved one, who doesn’t need to be your boyfriend or girlfriend, husband or wife. If you’re single, a fun get-together with the ladies in your life is probably a much better option than an awkward date. I wanted to put a spin on the usual heart shaped cookies, and instead of filling them with strawberry or raspberry jam, I went with guava. I love the flavor so much, and it pairs so well with the rich, buttery shortbread.

Pancakes with Caramelised Bananas & Maple Syrup

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In 2010, 2 years before I came to live in NYC, I read about Clinton St. Baking Company and how famous they were for their breakfast items, especially the pancakes. I went on Amazon and ordered their cookbook so I could make these, along with other specialties, at home. These are quite simply the best pancakes you can ever have. Neil Kleinberg, co-owner and chef at Clinton St. Baking Company, perfected the recipe entitled ‘Neil’s Pancakes’ and made them classically authentic – something delcious, wholesome, truly satisfying and as natural as can be. Two flavors were put on the menu: blueberry, using tiny wild Maine berries, and banana-walnut. After weeks of experimenting, Neil came up with his now famous pancake base: fluffy, chewy and crispy on the edges, with all the complexity of a yeast-risen cake. 

I wanted to put my own spin on this amazing recipe, so I decided to caramelise bananas using coconut sugar, cinnamon and a touch of coconut oil for frying – keeping with the natural tradition of Clinton St. Baking Company

Hidden Apple Tart Tartin

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The other day I was having a highly productive (read BORING) day at home cleaning. But at least it’s exercise right? All that sweeping with the broom. Gosh I miss the days when I had a vacuum cleaner. But nobody in New York City seems to have one. They all sweep. Anyway, enough about that! This productive but boring day suddenly took a turn for the better when my boyfriend arrived home with a dessert from Dominique Ansel Kitchen. Oh he knows me well. So very very well. If you want to impress me, or apoligize to me, or just be nice to me, get me ANYTHING from the pastry wizard, Dominique Ansel.

NYC Restaurant Week: Riverpark

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NYC Restaurant Week kicked off this Monday where diners can enjoy a 3-course lunch for $29 or a dinner for $42 at select fine dining restaurants across the city. Long before I came to live in NYC, I had been an avid watcher of the TV show ‘Top Chef’. One of the judges on that show is Tom Colicchio, who owns Riverpark as well as Craft and Craftbar & several others in the city. Riverpark is situated right by the East River, so a beautiful evening view while eating your meal is an added bonus. The restaurant itself is chic yet still inviting, with leather and pin-lighting throughout. I found it to be very comfortable: both with the seating and noise level. Tables are spaced well-enough apart that you can hold a conversation without having to raise your voice. The staff were very welcoming and helpful. There’s nothing more I detest than to go to an upscale restaurant and have rude or snobby service. Thankfully, you won’t find that at Riverpark. 

Portuguese Octopus from Al Vicoletto

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Sometimes the tastiest food is right under your nose. Case in point: Al Vicoletto which is quite literally across the street from where I work. My boss wanted to meet me for lunch and suggested Al Vicoletto, an Italian restaurant in Union Square. He chose a pasta dish, but I wasn’t really in a pasta mood so I scoured the menu for something else. The Grilled Portuguese Octopus ($15) caught my eye, as I love octopus when it’s done right, but it’s not a food I have too often.

Pies from Two Little Red Hens

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The cupcakes at Two Little Red Hens were one of the first I ever tried when I moved to New York City in 2012. I’ll be honest; ‘normally’ I’m not a big cupcake fan. A lot of the time they have way too much buttercream frosting, and are too sweet for my liking. Which is why…

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Maple Cinnamon Christmas Cookies

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Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you’re all enjoying some quality time with loved ones. For those back home in New Zealand, it’s already Christmas Day & here in New York City, it’s Christmas Eve. This year in New Zealand, my family will all be gathering at my cousin’s farm. She has two children, and I’m going to miss not seeing their faces light up when they open gifts.  And of course, it goes without saying I will really miss the delicious feast, which usually involves a roast lamb with all the trimmings, and my favourite pavlova for dessert. For those not familiar with pavlova, it’s a meringue cake that has a hard shell and is soft and fluffy on the inside. It’s then topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit. Since it’s Summer there, strawberries are a popular topping. 

Christmas Tree Brownies

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This past weekend I had a Christmas party at my place and I wanted to make a dessert that was festive and easy for people to grab and eat. These adorable brownie trees are perfect for placing on a platter. The brownies are rich and fudgy, with chocolate chips and miniature marshmallows to take them to a 10 out of 10. The green swirl is created using candy melts, sprinkles are the trees decorations, and the candy cane serves as the trees trunk.

Spiked Eggnog Cake with Rum Glaze

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A cake that not only has rum in it, but rum in the glaze also? Yes please! Plus eggnog? Sign me up! I’m a huge eggnog fan. Which wasn’t always the case, as you can’t buy it in New Zealand, and I never knew anyone who made their own. Now that I’m living in New York, I’ve really gotten a taste for eggnog during the holidays, and I like to have it as a treat after dinner. Or whenever I want something sweet. I was very surprised when buying the eggnog at my local supermarket, that 5 out of 6 varieties contained high-fructose corn syrup. This is a nasty replacement for sugar, but it’s cheap so that’s why companies use it. I had to pay a bit extra to get the natural eggnog that has real sugar & no artificial ingredients, but at least I feel better about drinking it. The brand I got is called Organic Valley, and I can highly recommend it as one of the best tasting eggnogs I’ve tried. Of course, one of these days I’ll have to make my own.